Candle-machine



Patented June 2, 1885.

O. L. WEEK.

CANDLE MACHINE ATTORNEY (N6 Model.)

WITNESSES! nrrnn S'rnrns Parana @rrrna CASIMIR L. WEEK, OF W'ESTWO OD, OHIO.

CANDLE-MACHINE.

Applicalion filed March 10,1885. (No model.)

To aZZ 1071,0772, it may concern/.2

Be it known that I, CASIMIR L. WERK, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vestwood, Hamilton county, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Candle'Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to continuous-wick candle-machines, its object being to provide a means of retaining the wicking in its proper central position in the molds when candles are thrown up into the containingframe and removed without awaiting the filling of the molds and hardening of the material around the wicking, usually required as a means of holding the wicking after the removal of the containing-frame.

In this respect my present invention involves objects somewhat analogous to those forming the basis of Letters Patent No. 284,785, issued to me September 11, 1883, in which a series of needles are projected across the mouths of the molds, passing through at the side of the wicking and retaining the same centrally in the molds, with this difference, that my present invention is designed more particularly to retain the wick centrally in and above the molds without the necessity of awaiting the cooling and hardening of the candle material in the mold around the embedded wick, or even the filling of the molds.

To this end my invention consists in the combination, in a continuouswick candle-machine, of a series of superimposed plates having suitable perforations and actuating mechanism, by the operation of which the wick is grasped and held centrally above the molds, so that the wicking may be severed without waiting for the filling of the molds and the cooling of the candle-stock around the embedded wicking.

Mechanism embodying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of so much of the candle-machine as is necessary to exhibit the structure and working of my invention; Fig. 2, a detail showing a portion of the sliding rod employed in moving the plates with the slot contained therein; Fig. 3, a vertical sectional elevation of a portion of the machine somewhat enlarged; and Fig. 4, a diagram showing the relation of the apertures to each other.

Referring to the drawings, in which the parts hereinafter designated are indicated by letters of reference, A indicates the body or frame of the machine, which in this class of machines is in the form of a box containing the molds, which latter terminate above in a shallow trough, into which the melted candlestock is poured for filling the molds B.

The needles n 02 and surrounding frames C relate wholly to my said former invention, and are introduced here merely to show the relaative location of the devices and to indicate the practicability of their conjoint use..

My present holding devices are arranged across the top of the trough, as shown, and consist of a plate, a, hinged at one side, as at h, to a sliding rod, R, secured in bearings i at one side of and the top of the machine, and three other plates, 11 c d, superimposed upon the first and actuated by T-levers (two or more) and links controlled by the sliding rod B. The lower plate, a, is simply a base for the operation of the others, and is perforated with apertures of any desired form-as round, square, oval, &c.directly over the candlemolds. The upper plates, b c d, are perforated in a similar manner, so that when all the plates are in normal position the apertures correspond and form a single opening of sufficient size to allow the candles to be projected up through the plates into the containing-frame.

The actuating mechanism for the upper plates consists of the T-levers e, pivoted to the lower or base plate, a, near the edge, each having links ff connecting one of its arms with the outer (upper and lower) plates, 1; cl, and a similar link, 9, connecting its other arm with the central plate, 0. The central extension of the lever 6 passes into a slot, 8, arranged horizontally in the sliding bar, so proportioned that when the bar is moved laterally by a screw-wheel, XV, (the bar being threaded at its end for the purpose,) the plates b and d are moved in one direction beyond the normal position and the plate c'in the opposite direction. The effect of this movement is to clamp the wick 20 between the opposite edges of the apertures in the plates, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and permit the cutting-knife to be at once applied upon the upper surface of the plates without disturbing the alignment of the wick in the mold below, and the wicking,

being still held clamped by the plates, the frame and candles contained therein may be at once removed without awaiting the hardening of the succeeding lot, space being left at one end of the trough to pour the melted stock into the trough beneath the plates, either before or after the removal of the lot of made candles. The release of the wickin g is effected by turning the screw-wheel W in the opposite direction until the apertures in the plate correspond, and to remove the surplus stock from the trough by the ordinary scrapers the plates are turned upon the hingebar or sliding rod B into a vertical position, thus removing any obstacle to the use of the scraper.

The operation of the apparatus has been sufficiently indicated in the foregoing description. and it will be seen that it may be used either in connection with my former invention or independently, as desired. The lower or base plate, a, may be wholly omitted, or two or more crossbars substituted therefor, and the number of superimposed plates reduced to two; but I prefer the construction shown. It will also be obvious that the T-lever mechanism may be substituted by other mechanical means for moving the plates.

"As a slight modification in the actuating mechanism shown, the extended arm of the T-lever may, instead of being carried into the slots of the rod R, be bifurcated and pass above and below the rod between collars secured upon the rod.

The plates described are of thin sheet-iron or sheet-steel.

The ulterior object of my present invention is a more rapid use of the candle-machine, thus not only increasing its capacity, but also to obtain the candles from the machine while yet warm. Ordinarily it is n'ecessaryto allow the candles to cool sufficiently in the molds to retain the wick firmly against the action of the scraper, and this I avoid by my former invention, which enables me to shorten the time of cooling and project the candles into the wooden frames before the material is hard. My present invention supplements the former in that by it I am enabled to remove the molds immediately without awaiting the refilling of molds and hardening of the material. around the wicks, while the candles made are still soft within and only sufficiently hard exteriorly to preserve their form. A material ad vantage is thus gained,- as I am enabled to bleach the candles expeditiously by plunging them in this condition into cold water, producing a much better article than heretofore.

I claim as my invention,and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In a continuouswicl: candle-machine, a series of two or more plates similarly perforated with apertures corresponding in position with the candle-molds arranged to be moved in opposite directions above the mouths of the molds, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 7

2. In a continuous-wick candle-machine, a

series of perforated plates arranged to be,

moved in opposite directions across the top, incombination with a supporting-base hinged at one side of the machine, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

3. In a continuouswick candle-machine, a sliding rod held in bearings at one side of the filling-trough, in combination with a supporting-base hinged thereto, and two or more superimposed perforated plates, and mechanism, substantially as described, whereby the lateral movement of the rod moves the upper plates in opposite directions, yet permits the supportingbase and perforated plates to be swung upon the rod as a hinge to uncover the fillingtrough, as set forth.

4. In a continuous-wickcandle-machine,the combination of the rod R, hinged plate a, movable plates 1) c d, lever e, and links f g, substantially as setforth.

5. In acontinuous-wick candle-machine, in

combination with a series of needles arranged to be projected across the mouths of the mold.- apertures at the bottom of the filling-trough for holding the wicks centrally against the action of the scrapers in the removal; of the surplus stock from the trough, mechanism, substantially as described,for clamping and holding the wicks centrally above the trough, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing.

witnesses.

OASIMIR L. WEEK. "Witnesses:

L. M. HOSEA, ABRAM MAY. 

